Waistband for skirts.



No. 720,468. 1 -PATENTED PEB. 1o, 1903'.

' M. A.Y oRMsBEE. Y

WAISTBAND FOR SKIRTS.

.APPLICATION FILBDLNOWS, 1902:

N0 MODEL.'

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'UNITED STATES PATENT. OFFICE.

MARGARET A. ORMSBEE, OF FALL RIVER, MASSACHUSETTS.

WAISTBAND FOR SKIRTS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 720,468, dated February 10, 1903.

' Application led November 3, 1902. Serial No. 129,930. (No `model.) I

To all whom it may concern,.-

Beit known that I, MARGARET A. ORMSBEE,

` a citizen of the United States, residing at Fall River, in the county of Bristol and State of Massachusetts, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Waistbands for Skirts; and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact descriptionof the'invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

4This invention relates to waistbands for ladies outer or dress skirts.

The object of the invention is 'to provide a waistband which combines simplicity of construction with ease of application to the garment and adjustability to suit different sizes of skirts and waists land which is further adapted to be used as an extender to give the long-waist effect now in vogue.

To this end the invention consists of a waistband embodying certain novel features of construction and combination of parts, as will be hereinafter more fully described, and particularly pointed out in the appended claim.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure l is a view of a dress-skirt embodying my invention. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section through the waistband, vshowing the edge of the skirt fitted between the folds thereof. Fig. 3 is a vertical cross-section'through the band on line 3 3 of Fig. 2. Fig. `4 is a perspective view of the waistband detached.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, l represents the dress-skirt, and 2 the waistband.

The waistband consists of two parallel folds 3 4, of elastic material, and is preferably formed of a single strip of the material doubled upon itself to form one end of the band and having its free end edges inturned and stitched together to form the opposite end of the band; but, if desired, two independent strips may be employed and suitably stitched together. After the folds or plies are assembled or laid in parallel relation the ends and upper longitudinal edges of the folds are united by a line of stitching 5. Provided at intervals along the band are inelastic reinforcing-strips 6, each consisting of a strip of fabric folded centrally over the upper edge of the band and having its ends extending down secured to the folds 3 4 by said stitching, or,

if desired, the upper edges of the strips may be secured by an additional line of stitching, which may be a continuation of a line of stitching 8, which secures the side edges and inturned edge of the end of the strip to the underlying fold or elastic v'strip of the waistband. After the parts have been united in the manner described the waistband will be completed and as the lower edges of its folds are ununited forms a pocket (see Fig. 4) to fit down over and receive the upper edge 9 of the skirt l. In applying the waistband it is fitted down over the edge 9, so as to-receive the same between the folds 3 4, and then said edge 9 and the lower edges of said folds are united by a. line of stitchinglO.

By making and applying the waistband in the manner above described'the edge 9 of the garment may be left in a raw or unhemmed state, as it will be concealed between the folds 3 j4 and securely fastened by the stitching 10. An elastic waistband is also provided, which is applicable to any skirt and may be extended to perfectly iit the waists of persons of different sizes and which may be adjusted at the frontpto give the long-waist effect now in style. The purpose of the inelastic strips 6 is to give strength and finish to the band and to prevent uneven strain from fallingupon any portion of the elastic band. As the portions between said strips 6 can only stretch, it-will be apparent that a linear strain sufficient to break the elastic strands of the folds will not be transmitted to said strands, but will be taken up and reduced by the inelastic strips and undue stretching of the strands thus avoided. Hence the period ofusefulness ofthe waistband will be prolonged to a material extent and casual giving away ofthe band in use avoided. Furthermore, `the. band will be much more comfortable than arigid or wholly inelastic band, as it will yield to the movements of the wearer.

From the foregoing description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings,

IOO

the construction and operation of the invention will be readily understood Without requiring a more extended explanation.

Various changes in the form, proportion, and the minor details of construction may be resorted to Without departing from the principle or sacrificing any of the advantages of this invention.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

Awaistband for skirts consisting` of parallel elastic strips united at their ends and upper edges and free from connection at their lower edges, forming a pocket to receive the edge of the skirt, the lower edges of the strips and edge of the skirt adapted to be united bya single row of stitches, and inelastic folded strips embracing the elastic strips at intervals and united thereto, forming a band having alternate elastic and inelastic portions, substantially as shown and described.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in presence of two subscribing witnesses.

MARGARET A. ORMSBEE.

Witnesses:

CHARLES R. CUMMINGS, JAMES T. CUMMINGS. 

